Pyra Lucas of United Pilipino Against Crime and Corruption (UPACC) has filed a plunder and graft complaint against Congressman Noel Bong Rivera of Tarlac’s 3rd District, accusing him of acting both as proponent and contractor of public works projects in his own district.
Lucas, who has been monitoring Rivera since 2022, disclosed in an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos that the complaint, which includes charges under Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), seeks the immediate suspension of Rivera, his spouse, and engineer Niel Parala.
“Minomonitor ko si Congressman [Noel Rivera] mula noong 2022. Isa lang ito sa mga kasong isasampa sa kanya. Magdadagdag pa kami [as supplementary], plus meron pang iba na gusto ko senate ang mag-imbestiga. Kasabwat niya itong mga political dynasty sa Tarlac; mga Yap, mga NPC. Sila ang may control sa buong Tarlac. Matagal na silang nagnanakaw,” Lucas said.
Rivera, formerly a barangay chairman, rose to Congress in 2022. Lucas noted his prior occupation as a factory cutter in Valenzuela and a seamstress, suggesting that his connections to local political families such as the Yaps facilitated his rise.
“I do believe he is a bagman sa quarry ng mga Yap,” she said.
The complaint also details Rivera’s acquisition of 7.1 hectares of property featuring four mansions, a golf range, and a function hall, allegedly obtained after his election to Congress in 2022.
“Pagka-panalong pagkapanalo niya ay pinagawa ‘yan. Ang balita ko ay galing sa mga contractor’,” Lucas claimed.
Central to the case is a public works contract involving Rivera’s firm, Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation, valued at PHP 141.49 million and dated February 2024.
The contract concerns the construction of the SCTEX Luisita Access Road. Lucas emphasized that Rivera directly signed the contract without divesting his interests.
“May na-gather kami 13 documents, 13 contracts worth 590+ million. Pero ang kabuuan niyan ay 2.3 billion sa [Tarlac] 3-G Company pa lang. [Noong] 2022 to 2025,” Lucas said.
She added that these contracts cover flood control measures, roads, school buildings, and health centers across multiple districts.
Lucas further alleged widespread corruption in Tarlac, including land grabbing with the support of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
“‘Yong hinihingi namin ng mga farmers na regarding sa talamak nila na land grabbing dahil documented lahat ‘yan. Kasabwat nila ang DAR. Imagine naka-titulo sa magsasaka, napupunta sa kanila, hindi naman sila nagsaka,” she said, while also further urging Senate intervention.
Calling on Filipinos to be vigilant, Lucas emphasized that the action towards change should start among Filipinos.
“Tayo na ang magbantay. Mula ngayon sa nangyaring ito, talamak ang korapsyon sa buong Pilipinas, kailangan mag-participate tayo. Huwag tayong aasa sa mga politiko lalo na sila ay ang mga magnanakaw.”
The complaint has been filed to the Office of the Ombudsman last October 22.
Lucas confirmed that additional filings are planned as UPACC continues its investigation.
